Safety tips for coming out to your family
- Test the waters. Bring up 2SLGBTQIA+ issues or representations in the media as casual topics of conversation around your family and see how they react.
- Find an ally. If you are able to determine that some members of your family are open minded, confide in them first and have them advocate for you.
- Create space. In whatever way you come out, be sure to take the space to have a full conversation where everyone can pay attention.
- Have a plan. An alternative plan can look like your own private space within the home; a safe space to stay if it becomes too difficult to live in that space; and your own means to live off of.
Source: Egale
How to talk to your family about sexual orientation and gender identity
- Think about your emotional and physical safety first
- Find people who support you to talk to as well
- Don’t try to convince anyone, but share personal stories and experiences
- Explain that your sexual and gender identity is a positive thing in life
- Have shorter/smaller conversations
- Show your family that you respect their/your culture/faith
- Focus on safety and bullying prevention
- Listen
Resources
LGBTQ Youthline is a free service provided for youth by youth, led by Queer, Trans, Two-Spirit youth that affirms and supports the experiences of LGBTQ+ youth (29 and under) across Ontario.
1-800-268-9688: toll free peer support phone line.
647-694-4275: text for peer support.
The MSU Pride Community Centre is a service of the McMaster Students Union. They provide a contact point for McMaster students that may identify as LGBTQ2SI+ but anyone may access their services. They provide one on one peer support, support groups, educational events, advocacy, and social events.
McMaster University Student Centre, Room 219/221, 1280 Main Street West, Hamilton
Project Youth Affirm is a Cognitive Behaviour Therapy based LGBTQ+ youth and adults to learn stress coping skills, and meet other LGBTQ+ youth and adults in your area.
speqtrum hamilton is a youth funded and youth run organization. speqtrum hosts workshops led by queer and trans peers and elders. They are committed to being accessible, anti-oppressive and participant-driven.
Through education, visibility, awareness, and supportive programming, the Positive Space Network envisions a future in which diverse LGBTQ+ youth, individuals, and families live in a welcoming and supportive community.
They work in the Halton Region (Burlington, Oakville, Milton, Acton, and Georgetown), and provide 2SLGBTQ+ youth and trans specific programming.
Compass Community Health is a community health centre located in the north end of Hamilton. They have an LGBTQ+ advocate who runs programming for 2SLGBTQIA+ folks, and who can support people in navigating services in Hamilton and at Compass.
Kyle’s Place is a non-binary prioritized space that is committed to fostering community, solidarity, support, advocacy and access to resources, particularly for community members who are marginalized due to race, class, age, mental health, abilities.
At HIV/AIDS Resources and Community Health (ARCH), we dream of a time and place where everyone is free to live healthy, stigma-free, vital lives.
To achieve this vision, we provide programs, services, education and support to people living with, affected by, and at risk of, HIV and AIDS in Guelph, Wellington County, Dufferin, Grey and Bruce Counties.
Trans Student Educational Resources is a youth-led organization dedicated to transforming the educational environment for trans and gender non-conforming students through advocacy and empowerment. Founded in 2011, it is the only national organization led by trans youth.
